Live Review: CW Stoneking, William Crighton

William Crighton embodied soulful, gentle storytelling as he opened for the master of ceremonies, playing to a captivated crowd.

Master of ceremonies seems the only fitting way to introduce the enigmatic lonesome rider, CW Stoneking. Despite the absence of his usual cavalry, Stoneking carried enough charisma to ensure that the room was enveloped in his solo artistry.

His entrance onto the Lansdowne stage was decidedly inconspicuous given his hiatus from live shows. Sydney fans hadn't seen his face since March of this year, but his warmth and infectious candour felt like no time had passed since we last met.

Early songs like Charlie Bostocks Blues and Jungle Lullabye moved the crowd to sway and swing in a mood resembling some far-gone time in some far-off place.

Stoneking has an ability to transport you at once to this liminal space somewhere between a kitschy living room complete with old Chesterfield armchairs and antique spoons, and a Preservation Hall-style jazz and blues performance space on the Bayou.

Goin The Country provided an upbeat jig that was both jaunty and joyous. Speaking of, each and every song of Stoneking's is imbued with a genuine joy that comes from his 'what you see is what you get' demeanour.

Although he had a bit of trouble with his setlist, Stoneking made light of it. Everything about this character is ebullient. "This ain't even my handwriting," he remarked. The response was raucous guffaws from the audience.

While there was a moment of technical difficulty, Stoneking's lightning wit ensured there would always be a joke to be made. "The delay thing is freaking me out," he called out to the PA guy. "It's like I'm in a steel chamber."

He pressed on in no time, delivering another crowd favourite, Talkin' Lion Blues, which had the whole crowd crooning along.

"After I sell this guitar," Stoneking quipped to the audience, "I'm gonna start yodelling full-time."

This was indeed a special evening, even if our MC said so himself: "I don't usually show my ankles. That's some delicate shit. It's a delicacy." Closing his return to the road, these words were the sweet syrup on top of the Cajun-infused sojourn into the intimate world of old-timey blues legend CW Stoneking.